If you weren’t at the Farmhouse Event Center on East 5th Street this past Saturday evening, you missed the social sensation of the season—and possibly the century. The Delavan Optimist Club’s inaugural A Night at the Mouse Races fundraiser transformed the venue into the glittering Delavan Downs Racetrack, where high society met high stakes in a spectacle of squeaks, sequins, and spirits.

From the moment the doors opened at 6 o’clock, the crowd—nearly 100 strong—was a veritable parade of pearls, pinstripes, and panache. The appetizer buffet was a hit with the fashionable set, who nibbled and networked while sipping complimentary soft drinks and Bush Light. But for those with a taste for something stronger, the cash bar flowed freely, with bourbon emerging as the evening’s darling of the decanter.

The races themselves were a riot of delight. Delavan Optimist Steve Skinner, ever the musician, heralded each event with a rousing “Call to the Post,” sending the crowd into a tizzy of anticipation. Ten races in total kept the room buzzing, with sponsors including the City of Delavan, Three Pedal Motorcars, the Bank of Pontiac, Steve & Liz Skinner, Bree Tree Care, Garry & Linda Slabaugh, Roland Rich Ford, the Delavan Dispatch, Tremont Financial Services, and American Legion Post 382. Winners doubled their bets—or more—with some lucky souls walking away with six times their wager.

And then there was Rodent Roulette, the evening’s most talked-about diversion. Marc Cappel of the Alton Optimist Club and Bill Wagoner of the Highland Optimist Club—both Illinois District Governors, past and present—worked the room with charm, and even gave some hecklers the razz, selling chances to the eager crowd. Eight games awarded $50 to the lucky cardholders, while two high-stakes rounds paid out a cool $100.

Just when the bourbon was flowing and the mice were running with reckless abandon, the speakeasy was raided by none other than Delavan's own dashing defenders of decorum: Officers Blaze Stieghorst and Molly McNeill. The pair made a theatrical entrance that sent flappers fluttering and big-timers adjusting their snappy lids. The patrol added a dash of drama to the evening's festivities.

Behind the scenes, the bank was run with precision and flair by Kelly Powell, Nick Georgi, Ed Hart, and Christy Hart, while the fundraising committee—Walt Dare, Kelly Powell, Linda Slabaugh, Steve Skinner, and chairperson Liz Skinner—ensured every detail sparkled. Their efforts culminated in a jubilant cheer at evening’s end: “It was a smashing success!”

Optimist Club President Adele Wheeler took the mic to thank attendees for their generosity and spirit, reminding all that the night’s proceeds support the Club’s cherished holiday gift program, which provides Christmas presents to local children whose families are facing tough times.

Let us not overlook the true unsung heroes of the evening—those paragons of hospitality at the Farmhouse Event Center who turned service into an art form. Proprietors Josh and Laura Grys, along with the ever-gracious Cathy Calsyn and the impeccably attentive Jess Sydney, took care of every detail with the finesse of seasoned society stewards. From the bountiful appetizer buffet to the seamless flow of refreshments, their efforts ensured that every guest was treated like royalty. The ambiance sparkled, and the service never faltered.

In short, A Night at the Mouse Races was the bee’s knees, the cat’s pajamas, and the mouse’s moment. If this was the first, we can only imagine what next year’s gala will bring. Until then, keep your feathers fluffed, your lid slick, and your bourbon neat.